Republican convention: Things to watch for today

The Associated PressRepublican presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, appears at a town hall meeting early this year in College Park, Md.

1.
WHERE'S MITT? The presumptive nominee arrives in Tampa, Fla., on
Tuesday. Will he make a surprise visit to the convention hall? Maybe
drop in to give his wife a grateful hug after her speech? The campaign
is only confirming that Mitt Romney will be in town in time for her
remarks.

2. WHERE'S ISAAC? The path of the storm barreling up the
Gulf Coast may also dictate the trajectory of the GOP convention. If
Isaac slams into New Orleans or does big damage elsewhere,
conventioneers will have to decide whether to soften their tone or
dampen their celebrations to show empathy with storm victims.

3.
ANN'S BIG NIGHT: She's been out there more and more, inviting cameras
into her family's summer home and tearfully describing how husband Mitt
helped her through a devastating diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Now
Ann Romney gets her biggest audience yet and her best opportunity to
tell the world what her man's really like.

4. RON'S RENEGADES:
Will they make a fuss? Ron Paul supporters are trying to mount a floor
fight to challenge new rules designed to limit the ability of insurgent
candidates to amass delegates to future GOP conventions. They could
raise a ruckus by waving Paul signs and shouting his name, when the
convention wants to focus on Romney-Ryan.

5. LASSOING THE BASE:
Social conservatives, fiscal conservatives, tea partyers, Paul
supporters, Rick Santorum diehards. They're all part of the Republican
base. What diverse notes will the convention speakers hit in hopes of
herding them quietly into line behind Romney? Perhaps shared disdain for
President Barack Obama will be enough.

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